Kerala polls: Congress-led UDF manifesto promises ‘Indira guarantees’, five ‘dream’ projects and boost for health, higher education sectors

The Congress-led Opposition United Democratic Front’s (UDF) manifesto for the 2026 Kerala Assembly elections released in Kochi on Thursday (April 2, 2026) promises five ‘Indira guarantees’ and five “dream projects” focussing on maritime, aviation sectors and a Tribal University in Wayanad.

The five guarantees, which were announced earlier by Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, include free bus travel for all women in buses belonging to the Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC), ₹1,000 monthly financial assistance for college-going girl students, increase in welfare pension to ₹3,000 per month, ₹25-lakh health insurance cover for every household under a scheme named after former Chief Minister Oommen Chandy and interest-free loans up to ₹5 lakh for youths to start their own businesses.

Kerala’s Leader of the Opposition V.D. Satheesan, who handed over a copy of the manifesto to Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy, said that a dedicated Ministry for Senior Citizens will also be created to ensure dignity, care and focussed welfare for the elderly, if the UDF is voted to power.

Five ‘dream’ projects

‘Mission Samudra’ figured top among the five ‘dream’ projects in the manifesto. It envisages integrating the possibilities offered by the State’s 600-km coastline, 44 rivers, 34 lakes, four international airports, high-range areas to elevate Kerala’s position in the world’s maritime sector.

In the aviation sector, the UDF has promised facilities for modern pilot and aviation staff training, second phase of runway construction in the Kochi airport, overall development of the Kannur airport and setting up route development and connectivity fund.

Mr. Satheesan said that his front aims to initiate about 1,000 medium, small and micro enterprises (MSMEs) having a total turnover of around ₹100 crore. A ‘job watch tower’ will be set up to analyse the changing skill requirements in the international job market and make required changes in the State’s higher education sector. The Tribal University proposed in Wayanad aims at ensuring the educational, cultural and social development of the tribal communities, he said.

Other key assurances

The other key assurances in the social security and welfare sector include setting up a welfare pension commission, second phase of ‘Ashraya’ project for the needy and introduction of ‘Indira canteens’ as launched by the Kochi Corporation to provide quality food at lower rates to the public.

Mr. Satheesan said eligible special schools will be given aided status. The minimum daily wages of the Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHAs) will be fixed at ₹700. The salary of anganwadi workers and those involved in the preparation of mid-day meals in schools will be revised.

In the health sector, the manifesto has promised an increase in Budget allocation, steps to reduce the out-of-pocket health expenditure, ‘She Hospitals’ for women and children, ‘Ammawadi’ project for the elderly women and tribal health clusters.

In the higher education sector, the UDF has promised implementation of the ‘Sidharthan Anti-ragging and Student Welfare Act’ to check ragging. The Act has been named in memory of the 20-year-old student who was found dead at the College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences in Wayanad in February 2024, allegedly following ragging.

Other promises include formation of Academic Syndicate, which will function as the executive body of the existing Academic Council, to check excessive politicisation of campuses.

‘Break the Drug Chain’ project

A ‘Break the Drug Chain’ project will be launched as part of the measures to crack down on the drug menace in the State.

Other promises include a special law for protection of religious rights of Sabarimala devotees, 5 lakh houses in five years for the homeless, special Agricultural Budget to be presented alongside the State Budget, a minimum support price of ₹300 for rubber, formation of a State Vigilance Commission to check corruption and metro/light metro in Thiruvananthapuram and Kozhikode and steps to accord industry tag to the State’s tourism sector.